Prize won for 100th registration of Radio Controlled Laser

Big prize for young local skipper

Ten-year-old skipper, Declan James, a member of the Lee Valley Model Yacht Club, got a big surprise when he learnt recently that he had won the prize for being the one hundredth boat registration in the new RCLaser Class model yacht.

Declan, who has only recently started racing the radio controlled Laser was delighted to receive his prize of a Laser carrying case from the UK class secretary, David Smythe.

The prize, valued at £100, was donated by Laser importer Peterkin (UK) Ltd and was presented to Declan in front of his family and friends at the club's Lake in Nazeing, Essex.

Declan's parents have also recently started racing the RCLaser which makes them the first family in the UK to join this fast growing class of radio-controlled model yachts.

The RCLaser is a quarter scale version of the International Olympic Class Laser dinghy. The radio controlled version is now raced in a number of clubs around the country and the class is expected to become the largest strict one-design class of radio-controlled model yachts in the world. Over 3,000 are now being raced in countries including the USA, South Africa and the UK.

Racing follows the same rules are that used by Olympic yachtsman. The racing is both challenging and exciting. Full instruction in sailing and racing these radio controlled yachts is readily given by club members to newcomers to the sport.

Radio controlled Laser racing appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds whether they already have sailing experience or not.

For more information on the radio-controlled Laser go to www.rclaser.org.uk or e-mail david@rclaser.org.uk or phone 01992 465328.